'People don't like it': Card met with backlash from users

The cards quarantine 80 per cent of payments for essentials such as bills and groceries, and welfare funds cannot be spent on alcohol or gambling.

Ceduna resident David Pav, who was initially given a card but later had it removed, said he had experienced several teething problems.

"You go to the shop, you put your card in and it doesn't work, it's soul destroying," he said.

"People don't like it and it can't be used in all the spaces it's supposed to be used.

"You can't go onto eBay and all that, and it's heavily reliant on mobile technology when a lot of people don't have mobile phones or use phone banking."

Human Services Minister Alan Tudge rejected local criticisms.

"It seems that most of the objections are ideological rather than practical," he said.

"If you're a responsible individual, and if you're not a big gambler, drinker or drug taker, the only impact on you is that instead of reaching into your pocket for cash, you'll reach into your pocket, grab your card, swipe it and off you go."

The trials conclude in 2017 when there will be an independent evaluation.